FYI: Below is our total return matrix highlighting the performance of various asset classes during the first half of 2018 from the perspective of a US investor focused on ETFs.
At the halfway point of 2018, small-caps have trumped large-caps, while growth has crushed value. Looking at sectors, Consumer Discretionary (XLY), Technology (XLK), and Energy (XLE) have been the best performers so far this year, while Consumer Staples (XLP), Financials (XLF), Materials (XLB), and Industrials (XLI) are solidly in the red.
Outside of the US, equity markets have struggled this year. Of the 14 country ETFs in our matrix, Russia (RSX) is the only one that finished the first half in the green, and it was in the green by just 14 basis points at that. Brazil (EWZ) and China (ASHR) enter the second half down on the year by 19.48% and 14.50%, respectively.
Looking at commodities, oil (USO) is up more than any asset class in our matrix at +25.40%. Gold (GLD) and silver (SLV) are both down 4%+. Treasury ETFs are down on the year as interest rates have risen.
Regards,
Ted
https://www.bespokepremium.com/think-big-blog/first-half-2018-asset-class-performance-matrix/
